Final Day of Mission Work in Las Cruces, NM

Today is our final day of mission work in Las Cruces, NM. We went to a different trailer home where there were about 12 kids ages 8 months to 14 years old. It was surprising to everyone that the family had turkeys as pets. When we arrived I was excited to start working. We split up in two groups, one to pick up trash and the other started painting. I was in the clean up crew. As I was picking up the trash one of the little boys helped me pick up trash.

The kids there only spoke Spanish, so I had to try and translate to speak to him. He understood me a little. There wasn’t that much trash to pick up so I started painting. It didn’t take as long as expected to paint the trailer. When we finished our job we decided to have a cookout there. We wanted to eat with the kids. Jerry, Ratha, and Sophia brought hotdogs, buns and fruit punch. At first the kids were distant from us then we offered them to eat hotdogs. They didn’t want to eat at first until we offered to bring the food and drinks to them.

That’s when they opened up to us. I handed out chips, candy, and Girl Scout cookies to the kids. The kids accepting our gifts and that made me feel good. I felt sad for the kids because they live in worse conditions than most kids I know. They had a house in the back that had no doors. The only thing covering the wind was a sheet where the door is suppose to be. Today I saw God working in us when we were working and the kids offered to help, knowing they didn’t have to help.

As we were leaving a family stopped and asked us why we were there. I heard Jerry telling them that we were on a mission trip helping others in need. When we left that location we went to Ms. Antonia’s home to say good-bye. She looked excited to see us again. She is such a sweet lady. We gathered and take a group picture with her. We said our good-byes and we left. I feel good inside knowing that we made a difference in her life even though we didn’t do more than just clean up and paint. I feel she was appreciative of our help and will remember us.

This is the first time Buckner has done mission work in New Mexico and I feel it was a great experience and we made a great impact. I believe that our small group has made a great impression of how the kids at Buckner expression themselves through our mission ministries. I would like to come again the next time we have an opportunity.

Stephanie M.